Asperger’s Disorder: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Asperger’s disorder is part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some children start showing signs of Asperger’s at an early stage, while for others the diagnosis may take time due to a lack of awareness. If you find your child has a problem with social interactions, pretend to play, dislikes being held or touched, or has an unusual reaction to smell, taste or noises, then you must consult with your doctor or a child therapist.

Symptoms

All children with Asperger’s disorder are different. However, the common sign is their unusual social skills and obsessive behavior. If your child has Asperger’s syndrome, they may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

• Poor social interactions
• Obsessions
• Peculiar and formal speech pattern that is flat, high-pitched, or robotic
• Restricted facial expressions
• Unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli
• Inability to understand body language, facial expressions, and gestures of others
• Dislikes any change in their routine
• Memorizes facts and information easily
• Insensitive to other people’s feelings
• Inability to understand sarcasm, irony, or humor
• Unable to communicate with peer groups
• Difficulty with sharing things or engaging in conversations

Diagnosis

Asperger’s syndrome can be diagnosed as early as 18 months old. There is no scanning or blood test required for the diagnosis. A team of medical and psychological professionals usually observes the child and asks questions to both the parent and child to conclude.

Asperger’s syndrome is part of ASD. However, the condition is sometimes overlapped with other conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The common assessments used to diagnose Asperger’s are:

• Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale
• Gilliam Autism Rating Scale
• Asperger’s Quotient Test
• Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale

Treatment

The treatment for each child is different. The treatment plan should be customized as per the child’s symptoms and should be changed as per requirement. The main treatment includes:

• Parent education and training to understand and manage the condition
• Social skills training
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Occupational therapy
• Special education
• Medication

If your child is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome then it will take them effort to build relationships. However, that doesn’t mean that your child cannot be successful in school or in their adult life. Your child may require counseling and therapy their entire life. However many people with Asperger’s syndrome are capable of living a successful life.